Happenings
The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation from the first-year students, with a total of 35 teams registering for the event. The initiative aimed to introduce the freshers to the courtroom environment and hone their foundational advocacy skills.
Judges Briefing – Devil’s Court Competition 2.0
The judges briefing for the Devil’s Court Competition 2.0, for the Batch of 2024-29, was conducted on 5th April, 2024, prior to the commencement of the rounds. The session ensured that all judges were well-acquainted with the competition’s rules, procedures, and evaluation framework.
The briefing was attended by the esteemed panel of judges, including Sparsh Gupta, Siddharth Upadhyay, Pragya Jaiswal, Arya Kailabag, Shaoni Panda, Arya Hadake, Nimish Gavli, Annanya Deshpande, Vaishnavi Shende and Syed Danish Masih
During the session, the judges were provided with a comprehensive overview of the competition format, including the sequence of courtroom proceedings, the specific roles to be performed by participants, and the decorum expected within the courtroom setting. A detailed discussion was held on the marking scheme and evaluation parameters, with key emphasis on legal reasoning, courtroom etiquette, handling of witnesses, and overall advocacy skills.
Moreover, the case preposition was briefly explained to offer insight into the core legal issues and anticipated arguments, thereby equipping the judges to assess the participants with fairness and consistency. The briefing played a crucial role in ensuring clarity and uniformity in the judging process, contributing to the effective and impartial conduct of the competition.
The day of the Competition
The Devil’s Court Competition 2.0 was held on 5th April, 2024 at Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur, exclusively for the first-year students of Batch 2024–29, and it turned out to be an engaging and spirited event.
The day began with the judge’s briefing, where the panel was introduced to the competition format, evaluation criteria, and the preposition details.
The rounds kicked off with participants confidently delivering their opening statements, laying the groundwork for their cases. The examination-in-chief brought out detailed witness testimonies, while the cross-examinations highlighted the participants’ sharp analytical skills and strategic approach.
As the competition progressed, the courtroom ambiance intensified, with participants passionately defending their cases through well-researched arguments and unwavering conviction. The dynamic exchanges between counsels, coupled with compelling rebuttals, kept the audience thoroughly engaged.
Participants demonstrated strong command over relevant case laws and statutory provisions, which elevated the quality of their arguments. The day concluded with impactful closing statements, leaving a lasting impression on judges. The event was a testament to the future lawyer’s legal acumen, confident oratory, and ability to think on their feet making it a memorable and enriching experience for all involved.
List of Judges
- Sparsh Gupta
- Siddharth Upadhyay
- Pragya Jaiswal
- Arya Kailabag
- Shaoni Panda
- Arya Hadake
- Nimish Gavli
- Annanya Deshpande
- Vaishnavi Shende
- Syed Danish Masih
